Application for asking reason for sick leave

[percythepenguin]

I am currently filling in an application form which asks for the dates and reason for any sick leave, the only sick leave I have taken was for a miscarriage which I don't particularly want to put on the form, I know they can't discriminate against me for it but I feel it is a very personal thing and am a bit pissed off at being asked tbh.

Sorry, subject heading should say application form!

Maybe put Gynae reason but leave it at that?

They shouldn't be asking you this on an application form at all. Since the Equality Act they are only supposed to ask about health in relation to whether someone needs reasonable adjustments to be made in order for them to attend an interview.

The problem is obviously that if you leave it off and they ask your current employer for sickness record, it will come up. How long ago was it?

Pragmatically, if you want the job, and it was recent enough that it might come up in a reference, I'd suggest doing what stargirl said.

Thanks, I suppose the main thing I was wondering was if it was legal, would love to make a fuss as it's made me so grumpy but I want the job so can't do that really, it's a medical job so they should know better ffs! It was in November so fairly recent but my current boss does know and was very understanding at the time so I don't think she'd put it in a bad light in a reference. Have put gynae reason on the form!

There's no particular reason to expect a better knowledge of employment law because its a medical post. The problem will be an out of date application form. You could make a fuss but its realistically probably not in your interests to do so at present.

Diplomatically pointing it out when you're in post, sure.

I know flowery but I would expect them to have an idea about confidentiality and the fact that some medical problems may be sensitive.